The New Orleans Saints have released linebacker Clint Ingram, who became eligible this week to return from the physically-unable-to-perform list. General Manager Mickey Loomis said the team did not believe he was going to be able to help them this year.

Ingram, 27, has been sidelined by a knee injury ever since he signed a one-year deal with the Saints in May. He suffered the injury while with his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and had surgery in April. So the Saints always considered him a low-risk longshot.

It's not clear if Ingram was able to pass a physical yet, but clearly the Saints didn't feel like he would be able to beat out the other linebackers on their roster. They signed a similar player in September - veteran Danny Clark. And they currently have seven linebackers on their active roster.

Saints safety Darren Sharper is also eligible to return from the PUP list this week. He is expected to join the team today when they hold their first practice of the week. But the Saints have a three-week window to decide whether or not to add him to the active roster.